Marlborough – Where the World’s Best Sauvignon Blanc is Grown
Sugar from the sun and flavour from the soil
High sunshine, low rainfall, fertile soil produce uniquely vivid wines
Hailed as one of New Zealand’s sunniest and driest regions, Maori referred to the Wairau Valley as ‘Kei puta te Wairau’ – ‘The place with the hole in the cloud'.
Marlborough Region
Marlborough put New Zealand on the international wine stage with its unique Sauvignon Blanc in the 1980s. Almost 31,000ha of vines (around 2/3 of the national total) are under the care of local wine producers, making it the country’s largest wine region.
Marlborough wineries offer an incredibly diverse range of varieties, from elegant Pinot Noir to intense Chardonnay, and vivid Aromatics.
The diverse soils and microclimates are revealing exciting new sub-regions, and it is within these unique sub-regions that Marlborough’s future lies.
Wairau Valley
This long, straight glacial valley is home to around 45 percent of Marlborough’s vineyards. It is home to the region’s main centre, Blenheim, and the Rapaura and Renwick sub-regions, has a warm, sunny climate cooled by winds from the Pacific Ocean. The Wairau River flood plain has very diverse soils, from stony river wash to deep alluvium.
Awatere Valley
This valley lies further to the southeast and parallels the other two, running from the coast inland past the small town of Seddon. It has the coolest climate due to its added proximity to the ocean on both northern and eastern sides, and can produce wines with a slightly finer acidity and mineral quality. It is also slightly drier than the other two regions.
Southern Valleys
The Southern Valleys zone runs just south of the Wairau Valley. It is slightly cooler and drier than the Wairau Valley. The topography is more influenced by the lower hillsides of the Wither Hills. Soils were largely formed by glacial outwash, and include stony gravels, areas with more clay, and loess-covered hill slopes. The Waihopai Valley forms a section of this zone.
Origin and History
Climate and Terroir
Flavour Profile
Typical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is known for its high acidity and light to medium body. Common flavours include fresh lemon, lime, grapefruit, passionfruit, and tropical fruits, along with aromas of cut grass, elderflower, and green capsicum.